ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2398, 2 March 1915, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

GRAND OPERA HOUSE. It does one good to see such a real wholesome entertainment as "The Seven Little Australians," now being presented by the Beaumont Smith Company at the Grand Opera House. The humour of the play js wholesome and irresistible, the plot is wholesome and interesting, while the acting is refreshingly natural, and altogether it is just the type of entertainment that one can heartily enthuse over and be grateful for having seen. Eyen the very scenery breathes a domestic atmosphere, and when the seven juveniles troop on the stage and chatter and play their pranks ,with such childish naturalness the effect is most charming. And over it all Mr. Harrington Reynolds, as the ,Rcv. Dr. Wallace, _ presides in fatherly fashion. The inimitable little Miss Cecil Haines portrays the part of the diminutive and mischievous "Suds" with all the nonchalant naturalness of childhood.. She proves in truth that she has' been born to face the footlights. Then all the other delineators 'of Miss Ethel Turner's little collection of Australians portray their parts excellently. Miss, Vera Spaull and Miss Olga Agnew are particularly good. As the pedantio little "Pip," the lastnamed little artiste excels' herself.

Hie "Seven Little Australians" will be repealed until further notice. There will be a. special matinee to-morrow afternoon. HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE. A refined tone was lent the performat His Majesty's Theatre last evening by the delightfully artistic programme presented in the first half 'by the Randell Jackson English Concert Company. This company, of five performers only, are superior to . any of the kind that 1 we have seen in Wellington for a long time.' Added to individual ability of a high order there is a finish and snap about their work which gives the . maximum pleasure, and the general- ensemble is an artistic uplift to the BrennanrFuller standard. The company is led by Mr. Randell' Jackson, a light baritone, who sings in a cultivated manner and a tone that is just swimming ; with i sympathy. He made an immediate impression in "Up Prom Somerset," and to appease the popular clamour had to add Red Devon by the Sea" (Coningsby Clark) and "The Cute Little Feller. with his Mummy's Eyes," in which he displayed a commendable versatility and the prettiest mezzo-voce. Miss Florence' West is a cultured soprano, with a musical tone and serviceable range. She sang feelingly "When You Come Home" .and "Wake -Up." ' Another bright performer is Miss May Winter, who, besides playing the accompaniments as they should be played, set the large audience giggling with the Cockney /sketch, "Always a Little Lady." Mr. Herbert Winter is an excellent comedian with leanings towards burlesque. He hit the audience in his Roman absurdity,. "Italiano," and' as the, Simple Murderer' ma.de one' shudder' with' laughter. In the sketch "Piracy," with Mr. Geo.. Nash, Mr. Winter was wildly _ comic, ai>d the audieiice, would have liked more of him. Mr. Nash is also a baritone, dancer, and' comedian of talent. The combination vocally, is capital, and their part- songs, "Moonshine" and "The Land of Dutino Where,' were choral pearls of great price. In the sccond part of the programme James Teddy,' who is billed as the champion jumper of the ■ ; world, jumps with fawn-like grace, and is a vvell-proportioned athlete of medium heights. He is a straight jumper, and, taking only a three or four yards' run, leaps with botli feet together and alights in the same manner. He jumps over a variety of hurdles of varying, height, with only three yards' run jumps oft. 9in.. without a baulk. His star .showfeat is to jump from a platform about 16ft. in height over a row &£ elevated electric lights, landing some 20ft. away 011 to a well-padded mattress. Iji this sensational flight through the air he uses a pair of dumbbells to give himself the requisite impetus, ..these being thrown behind him the instant;he 1? m the air. His' greatest feat of andurance .was to jump over the backs of set in a circle. There were nine chairs, and he. did" the round of them nine times without pause. Mann> ind Franks reappeared in their amusing, and well-staged sketch, "The Candy 3irl,» and Mr. George Whitehead, in a jalmon pink .suit, sang."Maid of Mala-' bar very artistically. Max Martin, , the agile comedian, sang Kagtime Med- ; leys, and danced to some , purpose! | Wong Toy also appeared in. a j variety of mysterious feats of legerde- ] nam in a highly appropriate setting'. )

• THE KING'S THEATRE. _ The .change programme at the King's Theatre, last Light was notable for the inclusion of a film that was prohibited 111 the United States owing to the racial feeling that it created. This was entitled "The Ordeal," and dealing as it did with the grim realities of waf, it was of an intensely interesting nature. • The play featured the emotional actress Miss Anna Laughlin, and the other central figures were also capable film artists. "The Ordeal" dealt with the call to arms made by a small State, oppressed by a stronger Power. All the men of one village volunteered, with the exception of Jean Renyea, who was prevailed on by his sweetheart to stay. , This troubled him, and during sleep he fell into a dream. In this lie saw himself at the war, and his side suffering defeat. Ho leads, a small body of men to safety, but is himself caught, and _tortured, to make him disclose the hiding-place of. his men. _ His old father and mother, then his sister and sweetheart are shot, but still he Temains sjlent. His torturers are surprised and driven out of the town, and the escapes into a burning village. At this point he awakens from the dream, and realises that his loved ones are safe. As driving home the trouble that comes to the innocent sufferers from war, the picture is a strong object lesson, and the scenes of fighting are wonderfully realistic. The supporting films include two excellent comedies, one "Maid fromSweden," telling of a number of matrimonial mix-ups, which are , very laughable. and the other "Getting to the Ball Game," showing how the passion for America's national game, baseball, affects some men, to the exclusion of everything- else. Pathe's "War Gazette," and other topical war films add to the value of the programme. The films will be repeated this evening.

EVERYBODY'S PICTURES. Real cowboys, competing in Genuine Wild West sports, figure in "California's Round-Up," the picture which heads the new series introduced at Everybody's Theatre yesterday. The film is a reproduction of the sports, which thousands of spectators regularly come from all parts of California to witness. The portrayal gives a graphic idea of the dangers that beset the vigorous and virile riders of the Western •Plains in the subduing of quadruped outlaws. Feats are accomplished by these experienced horsemen to illustrate the nature of their daily duties,-and many times man, horse, and wild cattle clash to the ground together. The whole of the sports' take place in a special, arena and one of .the most notable features is the race between cowboys mounted on .horses, which are untamed and unaccustomed to men. This is a soene which really baffles description by pen. The picture, which is 2SOO feet in length, also includes many humorous incidents. Among the supporting items is an amusing Vitagraph comedy, "Polishing Up," in which John Bunny and Flora Finch play the principal parts. Bunny flirts with two ' girls who invite him down to Orange Beach on the following day. His wife (Flora) informs him she is Roinpc j . to visit her s&tpx. fibs rpaibi I

intends to visit Orange Beach. Tho following day Bunny, witli his arms around the two girls, confronts Flora, whoso hand is being affectionately petted by a doctor. At first both Bunny and his wife are desperatdy angry, but eventually they decide that one is to blamo as much as the other, and so a reconciliation is effected: This week's edition of the Gaumont Graphic gives many fine views of our Territorial Army. Other pictures are: ''Neidra, tho Dream Woman," a fantasy; and "Highways of' England," a beautiful scenic. Orchestral selections accompany the pictures at both afternoon and evening sessions. PEOPLE'S PICTURE PALACE.

The great war, drama, "The Heroine of Mons," is to be shown for the first time at the People's Picture Palace today. The picture is by the Clarendon Film Company. The story opens with the occupation of Mons by the Germans. Before the principal bank can close its doors officers enter and commandeer all its money. Leman, the bank manager, hurries home to inform his wife and daughter, and they conceal their private papers in a secret cupboard A week later a French force defeats the Germans and occupy the town. Captain Armand, a French officer,. is billeted with the Lemans. As tho banker's daughter is an attractive I young lady, it is only natural that tho I French officer falls in love with her. | About this time, however, the . Germans surprise the, French, ,and after a desperate fight are once more in occupation of 'Mons. .Captain Armand is wounded while his lover- determines to make an effort, to secure relief from the . British at Braine. Disguised as an Uhlan she eventually carries to a successful end her perilous ' mission. There' are some excellent! supporting subjects on the programme- including the two that were screened for the first time yesterday. These are excellent comedies entitlnd "Baby Did It" and "Sophie's Comedv." The creat dramatic, film, "The Price of .Crime," was screened finally at all sessions yesterday.

THE EMPRESS THEATRE. At the head of the new programme at the Empress Theatre continuous pictures, introduced yesterday, is the Reliance Company's ! "feature" drama, "The Odalisque" (or "The Slave of Dress"). Blanche Sweet (formerly known as Daphne Wayne) is entrusted with the principal role (a shopgirl) in company with Henry Walthour, who plays the part of the leading buyer of the firm which employs a charming eirl in their millinery . department. The buyer soon. _ perceives that the. shopgirl is inordinately fond of fineclothes, and he dazzles lier with'.expensive gifts for his own sinister ends. Joe, the girl's humble lover, is a packer engaged in the same store.v] He, is grieved to note the attentions bf\tli£ buyer which are not discouraged, b.v the . girl. Joe becomes desjjon'dent'and takes to ; drinking. One'night the'girl'is lured to a house of. an evil acquaintance of the buyer, and Joe chances to follow her, and .enters the premises, and when the girl is seizedby her deceiver Joe.rushes to. tho rescue. A terrific fight ensues. Joe eventually escorts ; ; his, sweetheart home and all ends happily; The supporting films include: "The Topical Budget,". sensational war pictures; ' "The Eiffel Tower,"' Edison drama: "Shorty" ;> "Cursed by His Beauty." Keystone farce-comedy;' and "Brown's Cook," Lubin comedy. The series will be repeated to-day '-and to-nigh^.

.. ARTHUR. ALEXANDER. ■To-night at the Town Hall Concert Chamber Mr. Arthur. Alexander, who is . giving pianoforte, recitals - <.hrou"hout the Dominion, wall give his Wellington recital. Mr. .Alexander has been .absent in, London for the pasteight years, perfecting his studies,-and has given several recitals at the Aeolian Hall, London, and on : the Continent, with great success: • Mr. Alexander's programme to-night is varied and most interesting, and will' contain,: among other items, by the greatest composers A Concerto m E Flat (Ist. movement), Beethoven. The orchestral accompaniment, which has been arranged for a second pia.no, will 'be played by Miss R Isaacs. The box plan is at the British and Continental Piano Company's rcoms, 35 Willis Street. • '

Apparently an expert pickpocket was operating at the South Auckland Racing Clubs meeting at Hamilton (says the Auckland "Star"). At any rate, at least three visiting Auckland sportsmen were relieved of fairly substantial amounts. . The first was a well-known oommercial man. He collected, £14 odd trom the totalisator. • This he added j l 6 notes in his possession, and the bundle was placed in a hippocket. Not many minutes later the gentleman referred to had occasion to put his hand again in his hip-pocket, and was astonished to find that the" notes had disappeared. Fortunately, most of his money he carried in gold, in pother pocket, and tbat remained untouched; but the loss of £17, in notes was, nevertheless, annoying. Another victim to skilful pick-pocketing was one of Auckland's oldest and. best-known trainers. ; In an inside coat pocket he carried a purse .containing £5. This disappeared during- the' day. , Fortunately, a larger sum of money, contained m another pocket, escaped the thief's attention.. The largest loss reported during the day, however, was tbat of a well-known public man, who was visiting the Hamilton fixture in his capacity as a member of the Racing Conference. This gentleman was relieved of a little ljundle of notes worth between £40 and £50. How it went, and where is only oftSn to conjecture, ' but, presumably, on one of the stands, or in the crowd around the totalisators, the theft was successfully accomplished. Other cases of pickpocketing were reported,' and evidently a clever manipulator was at work on the course.

A typical instance of the .Russian soldier's devotion to duty is reported from Sandomir, Poland. The Russians captured from the Austrians two field-guns. Private Vassilyeff was told to guard them. Soon afterwards his company moved further south, the officer forgetting to' leave to Vassilyeff necessary instructions. Five days afterwards Vassilyeff was found, half-starved, by a Btaff offioer passing in a motor-car, keeping his solitary watch over the two guns in an open, field.